Mighty Mushroom Cowboy Hat Holder

ABSTRACT

A hat holding apparatus for holding the hat may include a hemispherical dome for cooperating with a crown of the hat and a supporting column for supporting the hemispherical dome. The supporting column may include a base section having an anti-skid surface. The hemispherical dome may cooperate with a sweatband of the hat, and the hat holding apparatus may include a flexible cover for covering the hemispherical dome. The base portion may be formed from rubber, and the hat holding apparatus may be portable, and the flexible cover may be formed from leather. The flexible cover may include a strap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention relates generally to an apparatus for supporting a hat. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus adapted to support a hat on both horizontal as well as inclined surfaces, while preventing any pressure contact between the hat and the support surface.

The apparatus has application with all types of hats but is especially effective at addressing concerns associated with Western style or “cowboy hats”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is an important consideration with expensive hats, especially those commonly referred to as “cowboy hats”, that undue pressure not be applied to the brim of the hat. Such undue pressure can result from placing the hat directly on the surface of a table or other horizontal surface. This pressure can, over time, lead to a distortion in the hat's shape. Such concerns are enhanced when driving an automobile or truck where the automobile or truck may be totally lacking a device for supporting the hat or when visiting a location that may not have the proper device for storage of such a hat. Generally, it is necessary to remove the ‘cowboy hat’ when entering a automobile or truck. Therefore, it is highly desirable that a portable hat storage apparatus be provided which is able to store the hat without placing any pressure on the brim thereof. When driving a automobile or truck, the motion of the automobile or truck may cause the hat support device to move or tip over, resulting in pressure being placed against the hat and may lead to the undesirable distortion in the hat's shape.

Several prior art devices for assisting in the support of hats exist. For example, Guthrie, U.S. Pat. No. 2,633,246, discloses a hat-supporting hook adapted for suspension from a wall or vertical surface for the support of a hat. The Guthrie apparatus has a base plate or mounting loop adapted for mounting on a vertical wall. This apparatus is not appropriate for use with a horizontal surface and is not portable.

Another example of a prior art hat support apparatus is illustrated in Hotchkiss, U.S. Pat. No. 822,277. Hotchkiss discloses a hat support apparatus having a pair of circular wire members supported in spaced apart relation and adapted to be placed on a horizontal surface. The circular wire members are held in vertically spaced relation, and the hat may be placed on top of the upper members. This apparatus does not provide stability for the hat support apparatus and the associated hat.

U.S. Pat. 5,772,049 discloses a collapsible hat support device adapted to support a hat having a crown and brim on a support surface. The support device comprises a base adapted for stable support on a substantially flat support surface and a continuous, elongated hat support arm pivotally connected to the base. The support arm is movable between a lowered storage position adjacent the base and a raised hat support position. The support arm is adapted to be received within and engage the interior portion of the hat crown for support of the hat with the brim in spaced relation from the support surface. A means for releasably securing the hat support arm in at least the raised hat support position is included. This securement means may be flexible wire connectors used to connect the arm to the base. At least one hook support member is operatively connected to the base for supporting the base from a nail, door top or other horizontal surface and against an upright surface.

SUMMARY

A hat holding apparatus for holding the hat may include a hemispherical dome for cooperating with a crown of the hat and a supporting column for supporting the hemispherical dome. The supporting column may include a base section having an anti-skid surface.

The hemispherical dome may cooperate with a sweatband of the hat, and the hat holding apparatus may include a flexible cover for covering the hemispherical dome.

The base portion may be formed from rubber, and the hat holding apparatus may be portable, and the flexible cover may be formed from leather.

The flexible cover may include a strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the hat and hat holding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the hat and hat holding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the hat holding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the hat holding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the hat holding apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a hat 113 which may be a western or cowboy hat or other type of hats including women's hats which may suffer damage as a result of pressure or weight being applied at an undesirable location. The hat 113 may include a crown 105 which may be centrally located or may be off-set from the center and a brim 107 which may extend outwards from the crown 105.

FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a hat holding apparatus 115 to cooperate with the interior surface of the crown 105 and may include a substantially hemispherical dome 111 which may be sized to be received within and engage the interior surface of the hat crown for support of the hat 113 with the brim 107 in a spaced relation from the support surface 119. The hemispherical dome 111 may engage the sweat band 131 of the crown 105. The hemispherical dome 111 may be semi-rigid which may be formed from a foam material, sponge material, cork material or other appropriate material and may include a flexible covering 112 to provide additional protection for the hat 113. The flexible covering 112 may be formed from a high friction material such as leather, plastic or other appropriate material. The flexible cover in 112 may be detachably connected to the hemispherical dome 111 by a strap 114 which may extend under the shoulder 109. The hat holding apparatus 115 may additionally include a support column 101 which may be cylindrical, rectangular or other appropriate shape in order to maintain a spaced relationship with respect to the hemispherical dome 111 and the support surface 119 which may be a surface of a vehicle such as a automobile or truck or may be a counter top in a home or restaurant or other appropriate surface. The support column 101 which may be solid or hollow may connect with the hemispherical dome 111 to form a shoulder 109 which may extend around the periphery of the hemispherical dome 111. The support column 101 may include a base section 103 formed on the bottom surface or a portion of the bottom surface of the support column 101. The base section 103 may be a high friction material such as rubber, plastic or other suitable material to provide an anti-skid property to the hat holding apparatus 115 to prevent movement on the support surface 119. Alternatively, the base section 103 may include a layer of removable adhesive to stabilize the hat holding apparatus 115.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hat 113 which may be a western or cowboy hat or other type of hats including women's hats which may suffer damage as a result of pressure or weight being applied at an undesirable location and which may be mounted on the hemispherical dome 111. The hat 113 may include a crown 105 which may be centrally located or may be off-set from the center and a brim 107 which may extend outwards from the crown 105.

FIG. 2 additionally illustrates a hat holding apparatus 115 to cooperate with the interior surface of the crown 105 and may include a substantially hemispherical dome 111 which may be sized to be received within and engage the interior surface of the hat crown for support of the hat 113 with the brim 107 in a spaced relation from the support surface 119. The hemispherical dome 111 may be semi-rigid and may include a flexible covering 112 to provide additional protection for the hat 113. The hat holding apparatus 115 may additionally include a support column 101 which may be cylindrical, rectangular or other appropriate shape in order to maintain a spaced relationship with respect to the hemispherical dome 111 and the support surface 119 which may be a surface of a vehicle such as a automobile or truck or may be a counter top in a home or restaurant or other appropriate surface. The support column 101 which may be solid or hollow may connect with the hemispherical dome 111 to form a shoulder 109 which may extend around the periphery of the hemispherical dome 111. The support column 101 may include a base section 103 formed on the bottom surface or a portion of the bottom surface of the support column 101. The base section 103 may be rubber, plastic or other suitable material to provide an anti-skid property to the hat holding apparatus 115. Alternatively, the base section 103 may include a layer of removable adhesive to stabilize the hat holding apparatus 115.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the hemispherical dome 111 and the covering 112 and illustrates the support column 101 and the base section 103.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the hat holding apparatus 115 and illustrates the support column 101 and the hemispherical dome 111.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the hat holding apparatus 115 and illustrates the support column 101 and the hemispherical dome 111. FIG. 5 additionally illustrates the retention straps 114.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat, comprising: a hemispherical dome for cooperating with a crown of the hat; a supporting column for supporting the hemispherical dome; wherein the supporting column includes a base section having an anti-skid surface. 2) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 1, wherein the hemispherical dome cooperates with a sweatband of the hat. 3) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 1, wherein the hat holding apparatus includes a flexible cover for covering the hemispherical dome. 4) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 1, wherein the base portion is formed from rubber. 5) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 1, wherein the hat holding apparatus is portable. 6) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 3, wherein the flexible cover is formed from leather. 7) A hat holding apparatus for holding a hat as in claim 3, wherein the flexible cover includes a strap. 